Update: surface dressing

Orkney Islands Council has said there will be no surface dressing tomorrow, Tuesday, and work is now likely to begin on Wednesday.

The local authority has said, on Wednesday, work will start on the A986 between the Dounby 30mph signs, moving on to the Back Road in Dounby, between the A986 and Vetquoy Road, the following day, Thursday, weather permitting.

Roads will be closed in both directions while surface dressing is being carried out, with closures in place from as early as 6am and as late as 6pm. Therefore the public — including secondary school pupils currently travelling into schools for exams – are reminded to check for road closures, diversions and bus service changes that could affect them. The recommended diversion for Dounby is via the A966, Hundland Road, the A965 Stromness to Kirkwall road and the A967 Stromness to Birsay road.

Public buses will be permitted through work sites during peak hours only, which are before 9.30am and after 4pm. Roads will be closed to all other traffic, with the exception of emergency vehicles.

The roadworks on the A986 in Dounby, between the 30mph signs, will affect Service 7 Stromness and Kirkwall to Birsay bus. There will be no impact on bus services as a result of surface dressing at Back Road, Dounby.

More information is available on the OIC website www.orkney.gov.uk